Role of imaging in the diagnosis of diffuse and interstitial lung diseases

This review aims to provide a literature update focused on the role of imaging in the diagnosis, prognosis and quantification of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Special emphasis is given in the management of atypical cases and in the multidisciplinary team approach in reaching the diagnosis of the various ILDs.

Accumulated knowledge on imaging has increased the accuracy of differential diagnosis in atypical cases, in overlap of findings and in secondary as opposed to idiopathic ILDs. There is increasing awareness about interstitial lung abnormalities in smokers' lungs from lung cancer screening and indirect evidence of linkage of fibrosis and smoking. Improvement in radiologic-pathologic correlation reveals less typical high-resolution computed tomography patterns to be predictive of pulmonary fibrosis. Major diagnostic criteria such as honeycombing may be hampered by the coexistence of emphysema. High-resolution computed tomography may predict clinical outcome and survival of patients in ILDs and is a decision maker in the multidisciplinary approach of diagnosis.

High-resolution computed tomography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, prognosis, quantification and monitoring of ILDs. It provides a definite noninvasive diagnosis in typical findings and helps in reaching the most accurate diagnosis in a multidisciplinary discussion in equivocal cases.